Batavia Middle School will have a brief orientation program this afternoon for 5th grade students and parents.

Students will have the opportunity to purchase their locks.

The district says this will give fifth graders an opportunity to practice, at home, before school starts.

The locks are $4.50.

Today’s Middle School orientation begins at 4p.m.

All students in grades 6-8, who are new to Batavia Middle School, or transferring from a private or parochial school, are invited to attend an Orientation program tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. The program will be held in the Middle School Auditorium.

The program will include an overview of the Middle School and will be followed by a building tour.

The Farmers' Almanac is predicting that Western New York will be having a cold, snowy winter.

The Almanac says the region can expect a return of bitter cold temperatures and heavy snow.

The publication claims to have an accuracy rate of higher than 80-percent.

On the political watch:

New York Junior Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is due to be in Genesee County today.

Gillibrand is scheduled to appear at Liberty Pumps in Bergen later this morning.

The Foreign Trade Zone designation offers various incentives to local companies involved in imports and exports.

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Congressman Chris Collins will be in Batavia today.

The Western New York Republican, who represents Genesee County, will have lunch at the Senior Center on Bank St.and issue an update on issues in Washington.

Congressman Brian Higgins is calling on the Thruway Authority to put an end to the 15-cent toll collected at the Williamsville toll barrier. Higgins says ending the toll would provide relief to local drivers and would help further reduce congestion on Buffalo area roads.